The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak Read Online Free

recall any discussion. All I remember is them telling me that I would be attending the University of Washington at Tacoma. And coming back here, night after night.
    But I’m Ana Watson. I didn’t spend four years on the debate team to lose an argument. I have a thousand reasons why going to school in Seattle is the best course of action. Besides, when it comes down to it, this is my life, my education, my decision.
    Silently, I listen to Clayton rattle off an animated speech about his day.
    I know better than to rock the boat. I know what happens in this family when you don’t play by the rules.
    That empty chair across from me is a constant reminder.

ZAK
7:30 AM
    Remember that great, underrated Terry Gilliam movie, Brazil ? There’s a scene where this poor schmuck is mistaken for a terrorist and a bunch of armed goons come blasting through the ceiling, lock him in a full-body straitjacket, and hurl him into a black van for transport to the reeducation center.
    As I sit on the front porch, waiting for the school van to pick me up, I can relate. It’s a rare sunny day for Tacoma. Mom has left for work. Right now I should be sleeping through whatever class I have first hour—some sort of English lit thing, I think—and waiting for tonight.
    Kicking ass at D&D. Taking names at a round ofMagic: The Gathering. Then, who knows? A viewing of a bootlegged Ranma ½ , complete with hilarious Japanese commercials? A spontaneous drum circle? Maybe slip into the Vampire Ball?
    It doesn’t matter. I’ll be going to Seattle today, all right. But not to Washingcon.
    All is lost.
    The beautiful day mocks me. The slightly-less-gray-than-usual sky laughs in my face. I’m in a foul mood. I want to punch a hobbit.
    To my right, Roger hovers above my head, cleaning out our gutters. He doesn’t ask me to hold the ladder and I don’t offer. Apparently, he doesn’t have to go to work today. I wonder vaguely what he does for a living. I know he works with Mom down at city hall. I think he might have told me about his job, but like everything else about him, I’m desperately uninterested.
    Roger returns to ground level, merry as a Cockney chimney sweep. He wipes his hands on a rag and joins me on the stoop.
    â€œBig ol’ mess up there. Probably ten year’s worth of gunk packed in the downspout.”
    â€œThank you for sharing that with me.”
    He starts to rise, but doesn’t. “So . . . quiz bowl, eh?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œGuess you have to be pretty smart to do that.”
    â€œI wouldn’t know. I’m not really on the team.” I take out my phone and pretend to text, but quickly put it away when I read my new messages: all from James and the other members of my BattleTech squad, accusing me of treason for bailing on them.
    Roger continues to talk, unaware that I’m not listening. I hope he wasn’t this awkward when he asked out Mom. Against my will, I imagine what their first date was like.
    When the school’s van pulls up, I’m actually relieved to see them. I quickly grab my bag and hop in.
    Mrs. Brinkham is driving. She nods to me, eyes half on some printed directions. I manage to force a smile. Hopefully my face says, Thank you for this opportunity , rather than, You witch—I hate you .
    I’m surprised to see that Ana, the girl from the library, is here. Maybe this weekend won’t be an absolute bust after all. We’ll be on the same team, so I’ll have a chance to make a better impression. I smile at her. She glances up from her binder for a second. Just one second. Just long enough to let me know that she’s seen me, and that she can’t even bother with a simple “hello.”
    I wonder if she’s that rude to everyone, or just me.
    In the middle row, a cute, somewhat chubby girl slumps against the window, sound asleep. A gangly blond guy sits next to her, playing a game on his phone.
    I’m